The city can earn more from tourism, the City Tourism Office said.
In his report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said the arrival of four million tourists per year could bring a maximum potential income of P400 million, from a one-time charge of P150 environmental fee per person for a five-day visit.
The fee will be collected from tourists checking in in accommodation establishments; entry into parks, museums, galleries, and other attractions; and organized tours. The same amount will be charged from attendees of conventions and other events.
A P63M maximum potential collection from vehicle congestion fee is also expected with the assumption that 120,000 vehicles per year arrive in the city. This is with the proposed fee of P200 to P1,000 per vehicle per five-day visit, and the amount may also serve as parking fee in public parking areas, Mapalo said.
The one-time fee per entry shall be charged from private motor vehicles of visitors and tourists; provincial tourist transport vehicles not registered in the city and regional public transport without authorized terminals in Baguio.
Mapalo also said new tourism enterprises such as the Department of Tourism rest area at Kennon Road is expected to bring in a yearly income of P1.8M to the city coffers, with a return of investment in eight to 12 years.
Rental from the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center complex including the Government Service Insurance System tree park, parking fees, lease from shops and cafes and hostel are also expected to bring in a maximum yearly income potential of P75.67M with a return of investment in 17 to 20 years.
The estimates are from feasibility studies conducted on the venues mentioned.
The potential income studies were done with tourism arrival surveys and studies tied up with current sources of tourist expenditures, contribution to city taxes, accredited establishments’ occupancy and amusement taxes. – Julie G. Fianza
